Imphal, September 28: In a major breakthrough, an experiment conducted by scientists of Central Agricultural University to check extensive withering of Yongchak plants (tree bean) has proved successful.

Back in 2005 when mobile phone service was not yet extensive, there were instances of widespread withering of Yongchak plants at Kachi Khul, Nungaipokpi, Wabagai, Takyel etc.

Following the incident, University experts conducted a research and they were able to identify the diseases responsible for the death of Yongchak plants.

In 2005, CAU experts identified 100 Yongchak plants in the initial stage of withering and administered insecticides and pesticides.

The efforts of the CAU experts proved a success as these Yongchak plants recovered from withering.

Since 2005, the experts have been continuing administering insecticides/pesticides.

Administering of insecticides/pesticides to Yongchak plants should be done between May and June after the plants have bore fruits.

Talking to The Sangai Express, Assistant Professor of the Department of Entomology, College of Agriculture, CAU Dr Kh Ibohal said that the withering and subsequent death of Yongchak plants were caused by such pests/insects as common stem borer, Asian Long Horn Beetle locally known as (Kangchek Manbi Til), bark eating caterpillar (maku chabi til) and almond moth which bores and eats up Yongchak flower (Kakshi).

Speaking during a documentation programme held under the aegis of Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Andro on Plant Health, Management of Tree Bean on September 26, Dr Kh Ibohal explained that attack by diseases was responsible for withering of Yongchak plants to about 60 percent while the rest was caused by unavailability of minerals required by Yongchak plants and lack of proper care.

Another factor is the presence of nitrogen in Yongchak plants in relatively large quantity which enables insects to bore through their bark and survive inside the trees.

Talking about the experiment conducted by CAU scientists, Dr Ibohal compared spraying insecticides on Yongchak plants to injecting glucose solution to human beings.

The insecticides should be in such a form which can absorbed by the plants.

The insecticides/pesticides should be sprayed in the form of water solution, he elaborated.

On injecting insecticides, Dr Ibohal said that a hole should be made into Yongchak tree two and half feet above the ground and then the insecticide should be injected through the hole.

He further invited Yongchak growers to contact CAU at any time for details on the disease control measure.

Saying that a Yongchak plant can live up to 80 years and it starts bearing fruits after 6 to 8 years, Dr Ibohal informed that a Yongchak plant starts withering 10 years after an insect/pest had entered into the tree and survived inside.

This means that the Yongchak plants now withering have been attacked by insects/pests 10 years back, he inferred.

Taking into account of the extent of damage to Yongchak plants, the CAU scientist asserted that it's time for the Government to frame a clear cut policy to fight the disease and to activate its relevant machineries.

He also appealed to scientists, farmers and NGOs to join hands and take up collective efforts to control the disease.

According to sources, Yongchak produced in the State can fetch Rs 5 crores in a year.

However, with the extensive withering of Yongchak plants, the annual total produce has been severely reduced, diminishing the annual earning by 30 percent.

During the documentation programme held at Andro on September 26, subject matter specialists of KVK Andro including Dr Ibohal searched out Yongchak plants with the help of the local villagers which were just on the initial stage of withering .

These Yongchak plants were administered insecticides/pesticides.

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